Europe > 🇬🇷 Greece
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Greece can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Greece; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Greece?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Greece?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Greece
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | ATH | 3 |
| Chania | CHQ | 6 |
| Chios | JKH | 8 |
| Corfu | CFU | 7 |
| Heraklion | HER | 6 |
| Ikaria | IKK | 9 |
| Karpathos | AOK | 8 |
| Kastoria | KSO | 7 |
| Kavala | KVA | 6 |
| Kefalonia | EFL | 8 |
| Kos | KGS | 7 |
| Lemnos | LXS | 9 |
| Mykonos | JMK | 7 |
| Mytilene | MJT | 7 |
| Naxos | JNX | 8 |
| Paros | PAS | 8 |
| Rhodes | RHO | 8 |
| Samos | SMI | 9 |
| Santorini | JTR | 6 |
| Skiathos | JSI | 7 |
| Thessaloniki | SKG | 2 |
| Volos | VOL | 5 |
| Zakynthos | ZTH | 8 |
Let’s make it simple.
🏛 When You Don’t Need a Car
If you’re planning to stick to major cities and popular islands, you can relax—no car needed. Ferries, buses, metros, and taxis will do all the work.
✅ Best No-Car Destinations
| Place | Why a Car Isn’t Needed | How You’ll Get Around |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | Metro + taxis | Acropolis, Plaka, museums |
| Santorini | Small, busy roads | Buses, ATVs, taxis |
| Mykonos | Compact + very walkable | Bus network to beaches |
| Hydra | No cars allowed | Boats, donkeys, walking |
| Crete (if staying in one town) | Local buses | Chania, Heraklion, Rethymno town centers |
➡ In these areas, parking is a headache, and public transport is easy.
🚗 When a Car Is a Game-Changer
Once you head into the mainland or less-touristy islands, Greece becomes a land of mountains, hidden villages, remote beaches, and ancient ruins scattered far apart. This is where a car becomes golden.
✅ Best Regions for Driving
| Region | Why Driving Helps | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Peloponnese | Stunning coastal and mountain drives | Nafplio, Mycenae, Olympia |
| Mainland road trip | Flexible access to archaeological sites | Delphi, Meteora |
| Crete (road trip style) | Large island with remote beaches | Balos, Elafonissi, Samaria Gorge |
| Naxos & Paros | Villages + mountain roads | Traditional Greek life |
| Rhodes (beyond Old Town) | Scenic drives and castles | Lindos, butterfly valley |
➡ With a car, you can stop in olive groves, pull over at viewpoints, and find tavernas with zero tourists and 100% flavour.
🚦 Driving in Greece – Fast Facts
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You drive on the right-hand side
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Roads can be narrow or steep, especially in villages
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Mountain drives offer incredible views (and hairpin turns 😅)
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Avoid driving in central Athens – it’s chaos
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Automatic cars are limited, so book early if you need one
🏁 Final Verdict
| Traveller Type | Car Needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Athens city break | ❌ No | Metro & taxis are easy |
| Island hopper (Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra) | ❌ No | Buses & boats cover all routes |
| Scenic explorer | ✅ Yes | Freedom to reach hidden gems |
| History lover (Mainland temples & ruins) | ✅ Yes | Sites are spread apart |
| Beach and village road trip | ✅ Yes | Best way to experience authentic Greece |
| Resort-style relaxer | ❌ No | Transfers already arranged |
✨ Final Takeaway
🔹 No car needed if you stick to Athens and ferry-friendly islands
🔹 Car highly recommended if you want to explore mainland Greece or venture beyond the tourist town on any large island
🔹 The best trips to Greece often mix both – city + ferry + self-drive freedom